Esophageal Manometry

Esophageal Manometry is a test that is done to see how well the muscles in the esophagus (food tube) work.

The esophagus is a muscular tube that contracts rhythmically to move food through it (peristalsis).  There are valve muscles at the top and bottom of the esophagus (upper and lower esophageal sphincter) that open to let food/liquids through when you swallow.

Manometry is the recording of muscle pressures within an organ. (The esophagus is an organ)

The purpose of this sheet is to give you information that you need before you come to the hospital for your test.

It is important for you not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your test until your test is completed.  If your test is in the afternoon, you may have a liquid breakfast before 8 a.m., then nothing else.

Please be aware that there are some medicines that can affect how the esophagus works.  Make sure you check with your doctor to see if there are any of your meds that he/she wants you to stop before the test.

After you get here, we will ask you some questions about your particular problem and symptoms that you have.  Expect to be here about one to one and a half hours for this test.  We will then explain the procedure to you and have you sign a consent.  You may have orders from your doctor for a 24-hour ambulatory pH-monitoring test, too.  If you do, this test will be done after the manometry test.  We will lubricate a tube (catheter) that has sensors on it and put it through your nose into your stomach.  We will make sure it is in the right place, and then slowly pull it out, doing measurements as we go.  We will be asking you to swallow some water at different times during the test.  It is very important for you to try not to swallow, talk, laugh, and etc. during the test.  We will tell you when we need for you to swallow.  There are 3 different areas that we do measurements in, the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), the Esophageal Body and the Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) and you will have a break between each area.  The information that we get will be sent to a doctor who specializes in reading these tests and the results will be sent to the doctor who ordered the test.  You should have a follow up appointment with your doctor after the test to discuss the results.